Decorating is one of my absolute favorite hobbies. I've considered every corner and decor element in my small city apartment, including the reading nook, "office" desk, and kitchen shelves. I find deep comfort (pun intended) in intentionally designing my space and filling it with meaningful furniture pieces — like sofas — that elevate its style.
You might have also reimagined the interiors of your home and decided you need a new couch as a result. To help out, I've gathered nine styles that will infuse your living room with modern elegance. Some feature plush cushions and padded armrests, while others come with tufted seats, leather upholstery, and slim brass legs. One thing is clear: they all double as stylish decor.
There's a lot to be said about the clean appearance of modern design and, more specifically, the way it seamlessly meshes with our homes. There's no doubt modern is versatile, but there are a lot of styles (especially when it comes to sofas) that fall under "modern" that might make you feel overwhelmed.
When shopping for a modern sofa, it's important to look for crisp, clean lines and a neutral color palette (no bright colors or bold textures). Another characteristic is that it lacks fussiness — aka there's no "fluffy" modern furniture, but rather, minimal and cloud-like. You should also always make sure the modern sofa you choose to purchase is priced to fit your budget, as this style is widely available at brands both affordable and high end. My favorite couch is the West Elm Oliver Sofa ($617-$849, originally $649-$849), but there's more where that came from. Check out my top styles ahead.
— Additional reporting by Shelcy Joeseph
This West Elm Oliver Sofa ($617-$849, originally $649-$849) is a failsafe addition to your neutral living room with its clean lines and crisp presentation. You'll love curling up in the deep seat for your reading sessions. Available in a 72-inch and 82-inch width, this sofa is versatile.
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The Details: Width: 37" | Height: 30" | Depth: 32" | Upholstery: Modern chenile or twill | Color Options: 2
If you love those low-profile designer sofas all over Instagram, here's a great option. The cool, cozy Floyd Sectional Three-Seater Sofa With Chaise ($2,335-$2,495) comes in a number of sizes, shapes, and color choices. I love the option with a comfortable chaise lounge — it's perfect for sitting back and watching a movie.
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The Details: Width: 124" | Height: 27.4" | Depth: 36.5" | Upholstery: Polyester | Color Options: 5
If you're in the market for a light, cloud-like sofa, then try the Castlery Dawson 3 Seater Sofa ($1,799). It has a cozy yet modern and boxy look that makes it look double its price. Its soft, deep cushions make it the perfect lounge-worthy option, too. It's also an editor-favorite pick, and you can read the full review here. The three-seater option is great for so many spaces, but the collection has various other silhouettes in this style, too. There's minimal assembly required, as it arrives in just two boxes.
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The Details: Width: 89.8" | Height: 31.9" | Depth: 44.9" | Upholstery: Fabric | Color Options: 1
The classic and sophisticated look of this West Elm Modern Chesterfield Leather Sofa ($3,699) is a great choice if you're in the market for leather. It has elegance written all over it, and it'll give your living room an instant makeover. Unsurprisingly, it's an editor-favorite choice — read the full review here.
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The Details: Width: 79.1" | Height: 29.5" | Depth: 33.5" | Upholstery: Leather | Color Options: 10
If you're looking for a modular, designer piece, there's no doubt the winner is the Hay Mags Soft Low Sectional ($4,246, originally $4,995). The cool shape was designed by London-based design studio Doshi Levien, and it's the perfect statement piece for your living room. The modular sectional comes in a number of configurations, fabrics, and colors, so you can customize it. The brand offers delivery and setup for this couch.
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The Details: Width: 140.75" | Height: 28.5" | Depth: 56.5" | Upholstery: Various Options | Color Options: 15
I'm a sucker for anything fuzzy, especially bouclé. The cool material is one of the year's biggest furniture trends, so you can get in on it with the Crate & Barrel Leisure Power Recliner Sofa ($3,200). The slim arms and cool texture give it an edge that would make no one ever guess this is a reclining sofa. The power controls lift up the legs and tilt the back so you can get the perfect lounging position. Delivered with white-glove service, it'll be ready for you to relax on.
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The Details: Width: 84" | Height: 28.5" | Depth: 46" | Upholstery: Polyfoam/ Bouclé | Color Options: 1
If you're looking for an affordable choice, then the Shurtz Velvet Curved Sofa ($1,380, originally $3,400) is your match. It has a glamorous look that feels elevated and will totally transform your living room. The velvet material comes in gray, pink, navy, and cream, so you can get the right one for your space. I especially love its gold legs that make it feel luxe. The sofa comes ready to set up, and there's no assembly required.
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The Details: Width: 85.5" | Height: 30.5" | Depth: 37.75" |Upholstery: Velvet | Color Options: 4
The middle ottoman in this Cost Plus World Market Tyson 6 Piece Modular Pit Sectional Sofa ($2,100) is so cool, and you can move all the pieces around. I love it with it set up inside, so you can have the ultimate movie night. There's nothing not to like about this sofa. It is delivered to your doorstep and requires minimal assembly.
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The Details: Width: 109"| Height: 27.7" | Depth: 70.6"| Upholstery: Polyester| Color Options: 1
If you love those plush, cloud-like sofas (because who doesn't?), then get the West Elm Shelter Sleeper Sectional Storage ($3,698-$4,648). Your guests will never realize it has a secret hidden storage compartment.
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The Details: Width: 130"| Height: 35" | Depth: 65"| Upholstery: Canvas, Velvet, Linen, Twill, Tweed, Boucle| Color Options: 57